Cleaning System having a Plurality of Tethered Sponge Cleaning Devices

ABSTRACT

A cleaning system includes a tether and a plurality of sponge cleaning devices. Each sponge cleaning device has an opening extending therethrough. The tether has body portion, an elongate holding portion extending from the body portion, a first retainer on the holding portion, and a second retainer on the holding portion between the first retainer and the body portion. The tether holding portion extends through the openings of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices. The tether first retainer removably retains at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices in a use position along the holding portion. The tether second retainer removably retains at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices in a storage position along the holding portion between the second retainer and the body portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/019,708 filed on May 4, 2020, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention generally relates to cleaning devices, and more particularly, to such devices that comprise sponges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Melamine foam sponges have become popular for household cleaning of hard surfaces such as floors, walls, and kitchen and bathroom fixtures. An example of a currently available melamine foam sponge is the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser which is produced by the Proctor & Gamble Company. Such melamine foam sponges have been observed to be effective in the removal of stubborn stains and marks from hard surfaces such as, for example but not limited to, crayon marks on painted wall surfaces or scuff marks from floors.

Melamine foam sponges can also be used clean other hard surfaces such as, for example, surfaces of motor vehicles, watercraft, sports equipment, and the like. While these sponges are effective at cleaning these types of surfaces, the sponges can be difficult to keep nearby for quick and easy use. Particularly, as the items to be cleaned are moved about away from home.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved cleaning system having sponge cleaning devices that can easily travel about with the items to be cleaned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a cleaning system having a plurality of tethered sponge cleaning devices which addresses at least one of the above-noted problems of the prior art. Disclosed herein is a cleaning system comprising, in combination, a plurality of sponge cleaning devices, and a tether having a body portion, an elongate holding portion extending from the body portion, a first retainer on the holding portion, and a second retainer on the holding portion between the first retainer and the body portion. Each sponge cleaning device has an opening extending therethrough. The holding portion extends through the openings of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices. The first retainer removably retains at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices in a use position along the holding portion. The second retainer removably retains at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices in a storage position along the holding portion between the second retainer and the body portion.

Also disclosed herein is a tether for use with a plurality of sponge cleaning devices each having an opening extending therethrough. The tether comprises, in combination, a body portion, an elongate holding portion extending from the holding portion, a first retainer on the holding portion and sized and shaped to removably retain at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices in a use position along the holding portion, and a second retainer sized and shaped to removably retain at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices in a storage position along the holding portion between the second retainer and the body portion. The holding portion is sized and shaped to extend through the openings of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices.

Also disclosed herein is a sponge cleaning device for use with a tether. The cleaning device comprises, in combination, a body of melamine foam sponge having a front side and a rear side opposed to the front side. An opening extends through the body from the front side to the rear side and is sized and shaped for passage of the tether therethrough.

From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detailed description of various preferred embodiments it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a significant advance in the technology and art of sponge cleaning devices. Particularly, significant in this regard is the potential the invention affords for providing a reliable and effective means for keeping sponge cleaning devices nearby while moving about. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be better understood in view of the detailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and further objects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a cleaning system having a plurality of tethered sponge cleaning devices according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tether of the cleaning system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the tether of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the tether of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the tether of FIGS. 2 to 4.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the tether of FIGS. 2 to 5.

FIG. 7 is a right-side elevational view of the tether of FIGS. 2 to 6.

FIG. 8 is a left-side elevational view of the tether of FIGS. 2 to 7.

FIG. 9

FIG. 10

FIG. 11

FIG. 12

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sponge cleaning device of the cleaning system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the cleaning device FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a rear elevational view of the cleaning device FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the sponge cleaning device of FIGS. 13 to 15.

FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view of the sponge cleaning device of FIGS. 13 to 16.

FIG. 18 is a right-side elevational view of the sponge cleaning device of FIGS. 13 to 17.

FIG. 19 is a left-side elevational view of the sponge cleaning device of FIGS. 13 to 18.

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the various components of the cleaning system as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity or illustration. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the components illustrated in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, that many uses and design variations are possible for the cleaning systems disclosed herein. The following detailed discussion of various alternative and preferred embodiments will illustrate the general principles of the invention with regard to the specific application of a cleaning system having a plurality melamine foam sponge cleaning devices. Other embodiments suitable for other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary cleaning system 10 according to the present invention. The illustrated cleaning system 10 comprises a plurality of sponge cleaning devices 12, wherein each sponge cleaning device 12 has an opening 14 extending longitudinally therethrough, and a tether 16 extending through the openings 14 for holding the plurality of sponge cleaning devices 12 together. The illustrated tether 16 has a body portion 18, an elongate holding portion 20 extending from the body portion 18, a first retainer or nub 22 along the holding portion 20, and a second retainer or nub 24 along the holding portion 20 between the first retainer 22 and the body portion 18. The holding portion 20 extends through the openings 14 of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices 12. The first retainer 22 removably retains at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices 12 in a use position 26 along the holding portion 20 between the first retainer 22 and the second retainer 24. The second retainer 24 removably retains at least one of plurality of sponge cleaning devices 12 in a storage position 28 along the holding portion 18 between the second retainer 24 and the body portion 18. Typically, only one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices 12 is retained in the use position 26 and the remainder of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices 12 are retained in the storage position 28.

FIGS. 2 to 8 illustrate an exemplary tether 16 according to the present invention for use in the above-described cleaning system 10. It is noted that the tether 16 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration. The illustrated tether 16 has the body portion 18 and the elongate holding portion 20 extending from the body portion 18. The illustrated body portion i18 s generally disc shaped having substantially planar front and rear faces 30, 32 with a generally circular shaped outer peripheral edge 34. The front and rear faces 30, 32 can be provided with logos or other graphical or written indicia if desired. The top end of the body portion, 18 opposite the holding portion 16, is provided with attachment 36. The illustrated attachment 16 is in the form of a passage extending therethrough for passage of, for example but not limited to, a strap, cord, carabiner clip, and the like to secure the body portion 18 of the tether 16 at a desired location. The illustrated passage is in the form a laterally extending slot but it is noted that the passage can alternatively have any other suitable size and or shape.

The illustrated elongate holding portion 20 extends downward from the body portion 18 opposite the attachment 36. The illustrated holding portion 20 is substantially circular in cross section and has a diameter smaller than the openings 14 in the sponge cleaning devices s12 o that the holding portion 20 can freely pass through openings 14 to permit free movement of the sponge holding devices 12 along the holding portion 20. The holding portion 20 can alternatively have any other suitable size and/or shape. The length of the holding portion 20 can be any suitable length to hold the plurality of sponge cleaning devices 12, and preferably at least four to six of the sponge cleaning devices 12.

The illustrated first retainer or nub 22 is located at the lower or free end of the holding portion 20 opposite the body portion 18. The first retainer 22 is sized and shaped to removably retain at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices 12 in the use position 26 along the holding portion 20 above the first retainer 22 (best seen in FIG. 1). The illustrated first retainer 22 is generally spherical having a diameter larger than the openings in the sponge cleaning devices so that the first retainer cannot freely pass through the openings 14 in the sponge cleaning devices 12 and the sponge cleaning devices 12 are held along the holding portion 20 above the first retainer 22 unless enough force is applied to the sponge cleaning device 12 to resiliently deform the first retainer 22 so that the first retainer 22 passes through the opening 14 in the sponge cleaning device 12. Once passed through the opening 14, the first retainer 22 resiliently returns to its un-deformed shape. It is noted that the first retainer 22 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.

The illustrated second retainer 24 is located along the holding portion 20 between the first retainer 22 and the body portion 18. The distance between the first retainer 22 and the second retainer 24 defines the use position 26 (typically for holding a single one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices 12) and the distance between the second retainer 24 and the body portion 18 defines the storage position 28 (typically for holding the remainder of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices 12). The lengths of the use position 26 and the storage position 128 can be any suitable lengths. The second retainer 24 is sized and shaped to removably retain at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices 12 in the storage position 28 along the holding portion 20 above the second retainer 24 (best seen in FIG. 1). The illustrated second retainer 24 is generally spherical having a diameter larger than the openings 14 in the sponge cleaning devices 12 so that the second retainer 24 cannot freely pass through the openings 14 in the sponge cleaning devices 12 and the sponge cleaning devices 12 are held along the holding portion 20 above the second retainer 24 unless enough force is applied to the sponge cleaning device 12 to resiliently deform the second retainer 24 so that it passes through the opening 14 in the sponge cleaning device 12. Once passed through the opening 14, the second retainer 24 resiliently returns to its un-deformed shape. It is noted that the second retainer 24 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.

At least the holding portion 20 of the tether 16 comprises a flexible material so that it can be easily resiliently bent during use of the sponge cleaning device 12 in the use position 26. At least the first and second retainers 22, 24 comprise a resiliently or elastically deformable material so that they can be selectively deformed to pass through the openings 14 in the sponge cleaning devices 12. The illustrated tether 16 is entirely molded of a flexible and elastically deformable material such as, for example but not limited to, silicone and the like. It is noted that the tether 16 can alternatively be formed by any other suitable process and/or comprise any other suitable material or combination of materials and/or components.

FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate a tether 16A according to alternative embodiment. The illustrated tether 16A is substantially the same as the above-described tether 16 except that a pair of barbs 38 are provided at the first retainer or nub 22. The barbs 38 are sized and shaped to increase the force required to pass the sponge cleaning device 12 over the first retainer. Thus, the barbs further ensure that the sponge cleaning device 12 does not unintentionally fall off of the lower end of the tether 16A when wet and/or when in-use/cleaning’ as you clean from the tether 16A. The barbs 38 also further insure that the user can easily remove the sponge cleaning device 12 from the tether 16A when intended. The illustrated barbs 38 are each shaped like rectangular shaped plates having a length greater than a width and a width greater than a thickness. The illustrated barbs 16 extend upward and outward in an inclined manner from the top of the first retainer 22 on opposite sides of the holding member 20. Thus, the lower end of each barb 38 is fixed to the retainer and the upper end of each barb 38 is freely extends in a cantilevered manner. The barbs 38 preferably comprise a resiliently deformable material such as, for example but not limited to, silicone and can comprise the same material as the remainder of the tether 16A as discussed above. It is noted that the barbs 38 can additionally or alternatively be located on the second retainer 24 if desired. It is also noted that the barbs can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.

FIGS. 13 to 19 illustrate the exemplary sponge cleaning device 12 according to the present invention for use in the cleaning system 10. It is noted that the sponge cleaning device 12 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration. The illustrated sponge cleaning device 12 includes a body of melamine foam sponge 40 having a front side 42 and a rear side 44 opposed to the front side 42, and a holding layer 46 secured to the rear side 44 of the body of melamine foam sponge 40 to prevent relative movement therebetween.

The body of melamine foam sponge 40 is sized and shaped for hand-held cleaning or scrubbing. The illustrated body of melamine foam sponge 40 is generally disk or cylindrical shaped having the opposite-facing and spaced-apart front and rear sides or faces 42, 44 connected by a substantially perpendicular sidewall 48 that extends between the front and rear sides 42, 44. The illustrated front and rear sides 42, 44 each have a circular outer periphery to form circular outer edges with the sidewall 48. Thus, the body 40 has a circular-shaped cross-section throughout its thickness. The body of melamine foam sponge 40 preferably has a diameter of about 1.5 inches to about 3.0 inches, and more preferably a diameter of about 2.25 inches. The body of melamine foam sponge 40 preferably has a thickness of about 0.4 inches to about 0.8 inches, and more preferably a thickness of about 0.6 inches. It is noted that the body of melamine foam sponge 40 can alternatively have any other suitable shape and/or size.

The front and rear sides or faces 42, 44 of the body of melamine foam sponge 40 are each generally flat or planar. The front side or face 42 of the body of melamine foam sponge 40 is provided with a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions 50 that extend outward in the forward direction. The illustrated protrusions 50 are generally dome or semicircular shaped but any other suitable shape can alternatively be utilized.

The body of melamine foam sponge 40 is a foam-like material comprising a formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer. The melamine foam sponge is preferably an abradable melamine foam which disintegrates or wears away during use. Suitable melamine foam is marketed as basotect and is available from BASF of Germany but any other suitable melamine foam can be utilized. Melamine foam is an open cell foam that is microporous and extremely hard so that when rubbed on a surface for cleaning it works like extremely fine sandpaper. The foam material is abradable and wears away or disintegrates to leave a residue on the surface that must be removed. When moistened with a liquid, rubbing the foam on a surface can remove otherwise “unremovable” external markings. It is noted that when the surface being cleaned is not of suitable hardness, the surface may be finely scratched by the melamine foam.

The illustrated holding layer 46 is a relatively thin layer of material which covers and is secured to only the rear side or face 42 of the body of melamine foam sponge 40. The illustrated holding layer 46 is circular in shape to closely match the size and shape of the rear side or face 42 of the body of melamine foam sponge 40. The holding layer 46 preferably comprises a material such as, for example but not limited to, a scouring pad of metal or plastic mesh or the like which can be used to scour a surface. The scouring pad both makes it easier to grasp hold the body of melamine foam sponge 40 with a hand as it wears away by providing a non-wearable and relative slip-resistant resistant surface and assists in holding the body of melamine foam sponge 40 together against crumbling or breaking-apart during use to extend its useful life by providing a tear-resistant surface. The illustrated holding layer 46 has a thickness about the same as the thickness of the body of melamine foam sponge 40. Alternatively the holding layer 46 can be cloth. The cloth is preferably is natural or synthetic chamois which can also be utilized to buff and/or polish the marked surface after cleaning but can alternatively be any other suitable cloth such as, for example but not limited to, a micro-fiber cloth. When the holding layer 46 comprises cloth, it has a thickness much smaller than the thickness of the body of melamine foam sponge 40 and preferably has a thickness of about 0.05 inches to about 0.15 inches and more preferably about 0.10 inches. It is noted that the holding layer 46 can alternatively have any other suitable material, size, and shape.

The illustrated holding layer 46 is secured to the rear face 42 of the body of melamine foam sponge 40 to prevent relative movement therebetween. The illustrated holding layer 46 is secured to the body of melamine foam sponge 40 with a layer of adhesive or glue. The adhesive or glue is preferably a non-water soluble adhesive or glue. Any suitable adhesive or glue can be utilized. It is noted that the holding layer 46 can alternatively be secured to the body of melamine foam sponge i40 n any other suitable manner.

The illustrated opening 14 extends entirely though the sponge cleaning device 12 from the front face 42 to the rear face 40 and extending through both the body of melamine foam sponge 40 and the holding layer 46. The opening 14 is sized and shaped for free passage of the elongate holding portion 20 of the tether 16 therethrough. The opening 14 also is sized and shaped so that the first and second retainers 22, 24 do not freely pass through the opening 14 to retain the sponge cleaning device 12 on the hanging portion 20 unless enough force is applied to the sponge cleaning device 12 so that the first or second retainer 22, 24 resiliently deforms to pass through the opening 14. The required force to resiliently deform the first or second retainer 22, 24 is greater than the force created by gravity acting on the plurality of sponge cleaning devices 12 hanging on the holding portion 20 of the tether 16. The illustrated opening 14 has a rectangular shape with its length being substantially greater than its width. The illustrated length is about four times larger than the width. The length is also substantially larger than both the diameter of the tether hanging portion 20 and the diameter of the first and second retainers or nubs 22, 24. The width is larger than the diameter of the tether hanging portion 20 but smaller than the diameter of the first and second retainers or nubs 22, 24.

The illustrated opening 14 is located in a position offset from the center of the sponge cleaning device 12 in a direction perpendicular to its length to a location about half way between the center and the outer edge of the sponge cleaning device 12 (best seen in FIGS. 10 and 11). It is noted that the opening 14 can alternatively have any other suitable location.

The cleaning system 10 described above can be advantageously utilized to clean marks from a wide variety of items such as, for example but not limited to, golf clubs and the like. Because heads of golf clubs are used to strike golf balls lying on the ground, they tend to be easily inadvertently dirty and/or marked-up during use. The tether 16 (holding a plurality of the sponge cleaning devices 12) can be easily attached to a golf club bag using a carabiner clip or the like connecting the attachment passage of tether body portion 18 to the golf bag.

In order to remove this dirt and/or surface marks, the user grasps the sponge cleaning device 12 secured in the use position 26 of the tether 16 and rubs the front face 42 and/or sidewall 48 and/or holding layer 46 of the sponge cleaning device 12 onto a surface of the golf club having any dirt or surface marks that are desired to be removed until the dirt or surface marks are removed from the club. The sponge cleaning device 12 is then released so that it again hangs from the golf bag via the tether 16. This process can be repeated whenever there is undesired or surface marks on the golf club. When the sponge cleaning device i12 n the use position 26 of the tether 16 is no longer usable, the user grasps the sponge cleaning device 12 and pulls with enough force so that the first retainer 22 resiliently deforms and the used sponge cleaning device 12 passes over the first retainer 22 and off of the tether 16. With the used sponge cleaning device 12 removed from the tether 16, the used sponge cleaning device 12 can be discarded. The new sponge cleaning device 12 located directly above the second retainer 24 is then grasped by the user and pulled with enough force so that the second retainer 24 resiliently deforms and the new cleaning sponge device 12 passes over the second retainer 24 and into the use position 26 above the first retainer 22. This process continues until there are no remaining sponge cleaning devices 12 held by the tether 16. The tether 16 can then be reloaded with new sponge cleaning devices 12 if desired.

It is noted that each of the features of the various disclosed embodiments of the present invention can be utilized in any combination with each of the other disclosed embodiments of the present invention.

From the above disclosure it can be appreciated that the cleaning systems according to the presents invention can be easily be available for use when desired.

The embodiments of this invention can be achieved by many techniques and methods known to persons who are skilled in this field. To those skilled and knowledgeable in the arts to which the present invention pertains, many widely differing embodiments will be suggested by the foregoing without departing from the intent and scope of the present invention. The descriptions and disclosures herein are intended solely for purposes of illustration and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cleaning system comprising, in combination: a plurality of sponge cleaning devices, wherein each sponge cleaning device has an opening extending therethrough; a tether having a body portion, an elongate holding portion extending from the body portion, a first retainer on the holding portion, and a second retainer on the holding portion between the first retainer and the body portion; wherein the holding portion extends through the openings of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices; wherein the first retainer removably retains at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices in a use position along the holding portion; and wherein the second retainer removably retains at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices in a storage position along the holding portion between the second retainer and the body portion.
 2. The cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the first and second retainers are each spherical shaped.
 3. The cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the first retainer is provided with barbs.
 4. The cleaning system according to claim 3, wherein there are two of the barbs that are each shaped like rectangular plates and the barbs upwardly and outwardly extend from a top of the first retainer on opposite sides of the holding portion.
 5. The cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the tether comprises silicone.
 6. The cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein each of the sponge cleaning devices comprises melamine foam.
 7. The cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein each of the sponge cleaning devices includes a melamine foam layer and a holding layer and the opening extends through both melamine foam layer and the holding layer.
 8. The cleaning system according to claim 1, wherein the openings are each offset from a center of the foam sponge cleaning devices.
 9. A tether for use with a plurality of sponge cleaning devices each having an opening extending therethrough, the tether comprising, in combination: a body portion; an elongate holding portion extending from the holding portion; wherein the holding portion is sized and shaped to extend through the openings of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices; a first retainer on the holding portion and sized and shaped to removably retain at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices in a use position along the holding portion; and a second retainer sized and shaped to removably retain at least one of the plurality of sponge cleaning devices in a storage position along the holding portion between the second retainer and the body portion.
 10. The cleaning system according to claim 9, wherein the holding portion is circular in cross-section.
 11. The cleaning system according to claim 9, wherein the first and second retainers are each spherical shaped.
 12. The cleaning system according to claim 9, wherein the first retainer is provided with barbs.
 13. The cleaning system according to claim 12, wherein there are two of the barbs that are each shaped like rectangular plates and the barbs upwardly and outwardly extend from a top of the first retainer on opposite sides of the holding portion.
 14. The cleaning system according to claim 9, wherein the tether comprises silicone.
 15. A sponge cleaning device for use with a tether, said cleaning device comprising, in combination: a body of melamine foam sponge having a front side and a rear side opposed to the front side; and wherein an opening extends through the body from the front side to the rear side and is sized and shaped for passage of the tether therethrough.
 16. The cleaning system according to claim 15, wherein each of the sponge cleaning devices comprises melamine foam.
 17. The cleaning system according to claim 15, wherein each of the sponge cleaning devices includes a melamine foam layer and a holding layer and the opening extends through both melamine foam layer and the holding layer.
 18. The cleaning system according to claim 17, wherein the holding layer comprises cloth.
 19. The cleaning system according to claim 17, wherein the holding layer comprises a scouring pad.
 20. The cleaning system according to claim 15, wherein the openings are each offset from a center of the foam sponge cleaning devices. 